A "partitive noun" is a noun used to indicate an associated amount. For example, in the phrase, 'a scoop of ice cream', the word "scoop" no longer refers to the utensil itself but to the amount of ice cream it would typically contain.

Last edited by Bones McCracker on Mon Nov 26, 2012 6:07 am; edited 1 time in total

I thought that was called "partitive", like an undefined partition of a whole. For example, some butter instead of a stick of butter or a spoonful of butter.

You're right, it is "partitive" (fixed above), but I don't think "some" is an example of a partitive noun. "Some" is a partitive actor in the sentence, but not what I was talking about (partitive nouns particularly, which are rarer and more interesting in the sense that they tend toward visual imagery).

I thought that was called "partitive", like an undefined partition of a whole. For example, some butter instead of a stick of butter or a spoonful of butter.

You're right, it is "partitive" (fixed above), but I don't think "some" is an example of a partitive noun. "Some" is a partitive actor in the sentence, but not what I was talking about (partitive nouns particularly, which are rarer and more interesting in the sense that they tend toward visual imagery).

The noun phrase is "some butter", "some" is a partitive determiner that makes the noun phrase refer to a subset of all butter.

I thought that was called "partitive", like an undefined partition of a whole. For example, some butter instead of a stick of butter or a spoonful of butter.

You're right, it is "partitive" (fixed above), but I don't think "some" is an example of a partitive noun. "Some" is a partitive actor in the sentence, but not what I was talking about (partitive nouns particularly, which are rarer and more interesting in the sense that they tend toward visual imagery).

The noun phrase is "some butter", "some" is a partitive determiner that makes the noun phrase refer to a subset of all butter.

PS: To be honest, i hadn't heard about "partitive nouns" until now, just "partitive expressions".

It's still not a partitive noun. A partitive noun is a word which is a noun but takes on a partitive role in certain usage. The most common are obvious, such as containers and tools (e.g., "bucket of water", "shovel of dirt", or are simply nouns bastardized with a "-ful" or -load suffix: "mouthful of jelly beans", "truckload of sand"). But there are others that are more interesting and metaphorically creative (e.g., "a freight car of ideas").

It's still not a partitive noun. A partitive noun is a word which is a noun but takes on a partitive role in certain usage. The most common are obvious, such as containers and tools (e.g., "bucket of water", "shovel of dirt", or are simply nouns bastardized with a "-ful" or -load suffix: "mouthful of jelly beans", "truckload of sand"). But there are others that are more interesting and metaphorically creative (e.g., "a freight car of ideas").

A boxful of old willies. A Brady Bunch of bollocks. A shedful of fartholes. A load of old bollocks.

It's still not a partitive noun. A partitive noun is a word which is a noun but takes on a partitive role in certain usage. The most common are obvious, such as containers and tools (e.g., "bucket of water", "shovel of dirt", or are simply nouns bastardized with a "-ful" or -load suffix: "mouthful of jelly beans", "truckload of sand"). But there are others that are more interesting and metaphorically creative (e.g., "a freight car of ideas").

A boxful of old willies. A Brady Bunch of bollocks. A shedful of fartholes. A load of old bollocks.